Matthew 15:2

“Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread.”

Context:This verse is part of a larger passage where the Pharisees and scribes confront Jesus about the behavior of His disciples.

Certainly! Let’s dive into a Bible study on Matthew 15:2 from the King James Version (KJV). This verse is part of a larger passage where the Pharisees and scribes confront Jesus about the behavior of His disciples. Let’s read the verse and its surrounding context for a better understanding:

In this verse, the Pharisees and scribes are questioning Jesus about why His disciples do not follow the tradition of the elders, specifically the practice of washing hands before eating. To grasp the full meaning, let’s explore the context further by examining the verses that follow.

Starting from Matthew 15:3, Jesus responds to the Pharisees and scribes, saying, “Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition? For God commanded, saying, Honor thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death.” (Matthew 15:3-4, KJV)

Here, Jesus confronts the Pharisees and scribes for elevating their own traditions above the commandments of God. He highlights that they have neglected the commandment to honor one’s parents by creating rules and traditions that allow them to avoid their responsibilities.

Jesus goes on to provide an example of how they use their traditions to invalidate God’s commandments. He says, “But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; And honor not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.” (Matthew 15:5-6, KJV)

In this example, Jesus points out that the Pharisees and scribes have devised a system where someone could declare their possessions as an offering to God (a gift), thereby exempting themselves from providing for their parents. By doing so, they render the commandment to honor one’s parents ineffective.

Jesus concludes this interaction by rebuking the Pharisees and scribes, stating, “Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” (Matthew 15:7-9, KJV)

Here, Jesus refers to the prophecy of Isaiah, emphasizing that their outward displays of religious observance are empty and meaningless because their hearts are not aligned with God’s will. He accuses them of teaching human traditions as if they were divine commandments, thus misleading the people.

This passage reveals a significant theme found throughout the Gospels: the contrast between empty religious practices and genuine obedience from the heart. Jesus emphasizes the importance of following God’s commandments and maintaining a sincere and authentic relationship with Him.